Today, we were picked up to see the city. We were joined by ten others from several countries including one couple from the US. Our guide was bi-lingual and very knowledgeable. Our first stop was at Plaza de Mayo (pronounced Majo). This is where the Pink House (like the US White House) is located and where the government conducts its business. FYI, the pink color comes from animal blood mixed into the stucco. The Plaza is very large, surrounded by impressive buildings, several statues and beautiful garden filled with flowers.
One of the statues has become the repository of memorabilia from families to commemorate those who have lost loved ones during COVID. This occurred spontaneously and now has become fenced-in for visitors to ponder their own losses during that time. There were Flamenco dancers offering to have their picture taken with you. It was all most impressive.
We next went to a church on the Plaza that looked like a government building. It is the church where Pope Frances held mass. As undistinguished as the outside was, the inside was spectacular.
From Plaza de Mayo, we went to a very popular area what has a lot of charm. San Telmo was originally a destination for mainly Italian immigrants. In some of the now colorful houses whole families would live in one room, sharing a kitchen and a bathroom with other families. Sometimes, this could be a lot of people but it worked at the time. Although some people still live there, most of the houses have become retail/restaurant spaces.
During our short time in Buenos Aires so far, we saw many, many people wearing black and white striped jerseys. They all looked like umpires. We saw them everywhere, in Recoleta, Plaza de Mayo, and San Telmo. So, we finally had to ask what gives? It turns out that two rival futbol (soccer) teams from Brazil (yes, Brazil) were vying for a championship and it seems that there is no stadium large enough to handle all the fans. They came, en masse, to Buenos Aires and strangely, each team has the same jerseys. So, how do you tell the fans/teams apart? You look on the jersey for the shield on their left side of the chest. If there is a star on the shield, that signifies one of the teams, while a star ABOVE the shield is the other team!
At the drop of a hat, whether on the steet or in a restaurant, fans of their favorite team break into a cheer or a song about their team. We got a real kick out of their enthusiasm.
A very popular drink in Argentina is mate. It is a loose organic tea in many flavors that is enjoyed in a special cup with a special straw. The straw is metal with a filter on the bottom. In many places, we saw people drinking this tea. The cups and straws can be up to $35 US but there are probably less expensive options.
It was now time to visit the Recoleta Cemetery. This is no ordinary cemetery. The mausoleums are beyond anyone’s expectations. Eva Perone is buried here, although hers is not the fanciest. You can spend hours and hours wandering around seeing the incredible buildings constructed as a monument enclosing the burial chamber of the deceased of the very wealthy of Buenos Aires. Supposedly, there is more space to add more mausoleums but you had better have beaucoup bucks! These are just some of the unique buildings in the cemetery.
We went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Of course, there were lots of futbol fans there, sharing their enthusiasm. We had a delicious typical Argentinian beef meal. No Flamenco show or horse show for us.
We have seen them before in other countries. Time to relax for the rest of the day.